North Korea's Ri Sol Ju attends concert with South Korea first lady

South Korean first lady Kim Jung-sook (R) chats with North Korean first lady Ri Sol Ju (L) during their visit at Pyongyang University of Music and Dance on Tuesday. Photo by Pyongyang Press Corps

Sept. 18 (UPI) -- The first ladies of the two Koreas have been holding their own meetings on the sidelines of the third inter-Korea summit in Pyongyang -- attending a concert while sharing a mutual interest in music.

A friendship appears to be developing between South Korean first lady Kim Jung-sook and her North Korean counterpart Ri Sol Ju, Yonhap reported Tuesday.

The two previously met at Panmunjom during the first inter-Korea summit.

Ri has become more publicly visible following Pyongyang's turn to diplomatic engagement in 2018, but nearly always appearing by her powerful husband.

Ri, who wore a jeweled brooch on her jacket instead of a badge bearing the portraits of founder Kim Il Sung and his son, made the remarks after the South Korean first lady had said she hoped "good results will come from the summit, like the rich fruits of the autumn [harvest]."

Kim Jung-sook majored in vocal music at South Korea's Kyunghee University, and Ri is a former member of a North Korean military band.

South Korea news service Newsis reported Tuesday the two women also toured Okryu Children's Hospital in Pyongyang.